MotoGP riders get greater tyre choice
Added on Thursday, August 11th, 2011 by Carole Nash Editor
MotoGP riders get greater tyre choice
The MotoGP teams and riders will have a bigger choice of tyre compounds this weekend in Brno, with the Grand Prix Commission accepting a proposal by tyre supplier Bridgestone.
Under new tyre allocation rules, every rider in the MotoGP paddock will have a choice of three pre-selected front-slick compounds each race weekend, as opposed to the current two.
An additional softer option compound will also be made available, but will only be eligible for use if track conditions dictate it is necessary for safety reasons.
Previously, two different compounds of front tyre were chosen by Bridgestone, with a maximum of eight individual tyres allowed per rider. From Brno, each rider will be able to use to six examples of one compound and four of the other, or stick with taking five of each
Riders will also have more freedom of choice on rear compounds, rather than the current system whereby riders are given five softer and five harder rears.
“The Czech Republic Grand Prix is the first for our new tyre supply system and I am confident that with it we will be able to answer satisfactorily what the riders have been asking for in terms of a greater choice of softer compounds specifically to improve warm-up performance,” said Bridgestone motorsport manager Hiroshi Yamada.
“Brno is an abrasive circuit so grip is usually quite high, but I expect the softer compound options to be well used in the cooler morning sessions in particular.
“After a summer break since the last round at Laguna Seca, I’m sure everyone is recharged and eager to get back to racing and I hope that in changing our tyre supply system we can play our part in contributing to close competition and an exciting title race in the second half of this season.”
